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Yet another set of ISP rules revealed

This time, however, things look more liberal. It is promised that 'reasonable prices' would prevail to help academics, scientists and young entrepreneurs 'gain access to information, globally'.

The changes permit licensees of basic, cellular and pager services to become Internet service providers on terms applicable to newcomers in the field.

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The liberalised measures aim at increasing Internet subscribers from the present 40,000 to about 2 million within two to three years.

The government statement says the new policy is a major step in utilising the competitive edge India has in information technology, besides strengthening its access to information at the national and international levels.

'The policy places special emphasis on providing opportunities to young technocrats,' the government statement claimed.

It said, as a promotional measure, private operators will be allowed access to spare capacity available with the railways and the power grid corporation in addition to the facilities provided by the Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited.

The government statement said 'if necessary,' the ISPs will also be allowed access to multiple gateways for international connectivity.

Voice monopoly for covering long-distance and international calls will, however, continue to remain with the Department of Telecommunications,

Highlights

The implementation committee will set the quantum of license fee to be paid by Internet service providers as bank guarantee. The license fee payable during the sixth year will be indicated after a mid-term review. No limits have been set for the number of ISPs. Port charges and charges for leased lines will be set at promotional rates. ISPs may charges users depending on supply and demand. Access charges for ISPs to pay main carriers like VSNL will be set on promotional basis. The committee will consider whether to authorise ISPs to create their own transmission network. Email licensees will be permitted to become ISPs and spared any licence fee for the first five years as in other cases. The committee will write guidelines with regard to the service area of ISPs. Financial institutions and banks will be asked to encourage new entrants.

MTNL and VSNL.

'Care has also been taken to protect the business interests of basic service operators and value-added service providers.'

An inter-ministerial Implementation Committee will ensure compliance of government decisions on the Internet policy and will also act as an in-house mechanism to ensure a level playing field for the ISPs.

The committee, headed by the secretary of DoT, has on it his counterparts in the Department of Electronics, ministry of power, a representatives from the ministry of railways and the principal advisor on the Planning Commission as members.

UNI

Earlier: ISP license details announced

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